Matrix 229 in 40SW

[ElectronWrangler]

Back in 2009 I noticed that the only handgun ammo readily available in my neck of the woods was 40SW. So I headed down to the local gun store and rented a 229, G23, and 4" XD in 40. The 229 was amazing and had an amazingingly expensive price to go with it., the XD was cool, and the G23 came in 3rd. About that time Springfield had a promo going so that I got the gun, with 5 mags, and a mag holder for just over $500 from AAA Sporting Goods in Vallejo. (No charge for the contact high from the Barber Shop next door) And I've spent the time since then dreaming about that sweet shooting 229. Fast Forward 7 years and I have been seriously bit by the homebuilt bug and have more disposable income.

I tried searching but my Google Fu is obviously week. I have already done the 9mm with the full refinished parts kit, now I have a second frame coming with the frame only kit. So the options are confusing. I assume I need a 357/40 Locking Insert (Which one works with the MP frame. I need a Slide and barrel. (The caliber conversion kit looks like it comes with an E2 Magazine, are there differences on the slide?). And a magazine, are the 40SW mags limited to non E2 mags also?

Thanks,
EW.

[Rational1]

Back in 2009 I noticed that the only handgun ammo readily available in my neck of the woods was 40SW. So I headed down to the local gun store and rented a 229, G23, and 4" XD in 40. The 229 was amazing and had an amazingingly expensive price to go with it., the XD was cool, and the G23 came in 3rd. About that time Springfield had a promo going so that I got the gun, with 5 mags, and a mag holder for just over $500 from AAA Sporting Goods in Vallejo. (No charge for the contact high from the Barber Shop next door) And I've spent the time since then dreaming about that sweet shooting 229. Fast Forward 7 years and I have been seriously bit by the homebuilt bug and have more disposable income.

I tried searching but my Google Fu is obviously week. I have already done the 9mm with the full refinished parts kit, now I have a second frame coming with the frame only kit. So the options are confusing. I assume I need a 357/40 Locking Insert (Which one works with the MP frame. I need a Slide and barrel. (The caliber conversion kit looks like it comes with an E2 Magazine, are there differences on the slide?). And a magazine, are the 40SW mags limited to non E2 mags also?

Thanks,
EW.

Good questions. Right now there are four .40 locking inserts available on ebay for $23, a really nice price. http://www.ebay.com/itm/SIG-SAUER-P2...0AAOSwnNBXaqxu You need one of those, the caliber conversion kit, and non-E2 .40 mags, either some of the older style P229 .40 mags, (I have seen a lot of promag .40 mags on ebay that are discontinued but show up quite a bit), or you can use a .40 226 mag with an xgrip adaptor.

I put together a .40 P229, and it works great as long as there is some slide slop, if you build it like a 1911 with a tight slide, it may have trouble cycling reliably.

[ElectronWrangler]

Did you use a caliber exchange kit or source the slide elsewhere? Are there any differences in the slides of 229's and 229-1's? Are there any differences between the different locking inserts? And finally which version of 229 (location) did Matrix base there 229 frame design from?

[Rational1]

Did you use a caliber exchange kit or source the slide elsewhere? Are there any differences in the slides of 229's and 229-1's? Are there any differences between the different locking inserts? And finally which version of 229 (location) did Matrix base there 229 frame design from?

I bought several .40 slides on ebay, but I am thinking of selling them since I decided I like to shoot 9mm better.

As far as I know, the only difference in the newer slides is that at least mine has the loaded chamber indicator, and you can't fire the gun without a mag in place, which I believe is part of the function of their new locking insert with a spring loaded lever.

I am not an expert on the locking inserts, there are quite a few variations, but the new 9mm locking insert will work in the Matrix frame.

In 2013 I bought a new Sig P229 which was purchased and used for reference for the Matrix frame.

[ElectronWrangler]

Thanks for the help. I've ordered everything. Only thing I'm worried about is the Mags, hard to tell what's E2 and not on 357/40 Mags.

[justanalog]

I did a .40 cal switch on my Matrix P229 and continued to use the "old style" 9mm mag, without "at the range" problems.